12 space age burial methods for the truly quirky

Dealing with the reality of death is something most, if not all, of us don’t want to face. And for a long time, we had only two real options: burial or cremation. Nowadays, thanks to the morbidity of modern science and technology, you have a veritable mausoleum of options for your after-death residence — if you have the stomach and the cash that is.

Here are twelve space age burial options.

Resomation

Currently, only a few funeral homes offer resomation — or what they call “bio-cremation.” It’s an eco-friendly alternative to traditional cremation because it uses lower rates of energy. Resomation is a process which uses a mixture of water and potassium hydroxide to liquefy the body, leaving only the bones. These are later ground into fragments, similar to regular cremation, then given to the family.

Gas-powered cremation requires a massive output of energy and releases CO2 and potentially harmful residues like mercury from tooth fillings. This is why many people prefer a more environmentally-conscious way to dispose of their remains.

Resomation only requires 350 degrees Fahrenheit to operate, and any implants or medical residues can be extracted from the bones before the sterile water is disposed of.

However, don’t look for much of a price break by being liquefied: both cremation and resomation stand at about US$3,000 total.

Eternal reefs

A Georgia-based company created a manmade reef out of a combination of cement and “cremains” (that’s ashes). It is then submerged in a spot where natural reefs have eroded, attracting fish and other organisms to begin rebuilding their underwater neighborhood, so to speak.

It still requires high-energy outputs, but since it replenishes the ocean floor, it certainly counts as eco-friendly. The reefs are estimated to support marine life for up to five centuries.

Life gem

Now, you can have the permanent sparkle you always wanted! Cubic zirconia is made by compressing minerals into a brilliant diamond shape. This method uses your ashes to create the gem.

Not only are multiple colors available for this method (birthstone anyone?), but they can be placed into settings and thus worn as rings or other jewelry.

As a life gem, you’ll never be apart from a loved one (or several, I suppose, if they all want matching ones).

Space burial

The idea of spending eternity floating in space might not appeal to people who prefer gravity and stability as opposed to black nothingness, but for sci-fi diehards, it’s now possible to be buried in space.

This varies depending on cost and availability. One common method is for some of your ashes to be taken up in a ship that’s already headed for space. However, the cost of spaceflight is already exorbitant, so current standards dictate only less than 0.25 ounces can actually be put on the ship. Maybe it’s the thought that counts even in death?

Mummification

3D printing

Plastination

Natural burial

Cryonics

Vinyl

Freeze-drying

Ash pencils

Conclusion